STANFORD, Calif. – Stanford junior Patrick Rodgers, the No. 1 ranked amateur in the world, says he will forgo his final year of eligibility to pursue a professional career after this season.
Rodgers said in a statement issued through the school Monday that he announced his decision now because he doesn't want the growing speculation about his future to become a distraction for the team.
Rodgers arrived at Stanford as one of the nation's top recruits from Avon, Ind. The two-time All-American has won seven tournaments in less than three full seasons at Stanford and also helped the U.S. team win last year's Walker Cup, the amateur version of the Ryder Cup.
The seven career wins are tied with Joel Kribel for the most in school history. Only Tiger Woods, with 11, has more.
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